But that aspect of superherodom brings up another problem: If it is within your power to alter things for the better, is it acceptable to stand aside and not do anything? Veidt isn't the best example of this, given the debatable good of his actions, but it is a current moral debate that is relevant to those in power (Social Work for one).

I know I've said this elsewhere, but one of the major problems with 90s comics is they took too much of the "Heroes can be morally ambigious and do horrible (but badass) things" from Watchmen, and not enough of the "Villains can be well-motivated, at least partially admirable and also competent" parts.

Yeah. I think the one who does the best with that in Watchmen is Malcolm Long when he tries to break up the fight at the end because he just can't stand by and watch it, and he's not a hero in any conventional sense.

Comics could only benefit from more Veidts. Hell, more characters totally unlike Veidt aside from the sympathetic villain with real motivations that aren't to do with dead loved ones or insanity aspect would be fine.